槁 (gǎo) - Withered & dried up

槁Tone 3

gǎo ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

槁 · gǎo

Withered;

dried up;

desiccated;

decayed;

often used to describe plants or trees that have lost vitality.

Withereddried updesiccated

Usage highlights

Withered woodHaggard appearanceWithered and deadDesiccated corpseWithered leavesDried up and yellow

Synonyms

  • 枯— withered; dried
  • 萎— wilted; shriveled
  • 干— dry; arid

Antonyms

  • 荣— flourishing; prosperous
  • 茂— lush; luxuriant
  • 润— moist; sleek

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The leaves have withered (槁木).
  • His face looked haggard and gaunt (形容枯槁).
  • The tree stood dead and dry (枯槁之木).
  • A state of spiritual desolation (心如槁木).

Collocations

  • Withered wood(槁木)
  • Haggard appearance(形容枯槁)
  • Withered and dead(枯槁)
  • Desiccated corpse(槁骸)
  • Withered leaves(槁叶)
  • Dried up and yellow(槁黄)

Idioms

  • Heart like dead ashes(心如槁木)
  • Withered bone and dry intestine(槁骨枯肠)
  • Withered form and desiccated appearance(形槁心灰)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often appears in classical Chinese literature to symbolize decay, loss of vitality, or spiritual emptiness.
  • Used in philosophical texts like Zhuangzi to describe a state of detachment or non-action.
  • Associated with the natural cycle of life and death, particularly in poetic descriptions of autumn or decline.

FAQ